Electro-magnetic motor



7 3,109,946 ELECTROMAGNETIC MGTOR Fernando A. Pontin, 13045 Pacific Highway, Seattle 88, Wash. Filed June 30, 1960," Ser- No. 40,089 2 Claims. (Cl. 310-46) My invention relates to an electro-magnetic motor and an object of my invention is to provide an electro-magnetic motor of simple, eflicient and inexpensive construction which is particularly well adapted for use as a toy .orhinusement device.

United States Patent 3,109,946 Patented Nov. 5, 1963 by the core pin 11 and will frictionally grip the core pin and tend to remain in a fixed position thereon while the magnet wire is being wound on the core pin 11 to form the coil 13. The U-shaped frame has a medial perforation 22 in its bottom portion to receive the core pin 11 and further has two aligned holes 23 and 24 near its respective upper ends to receive and form bearings for the shaft 16.

The end of the shaft 16 shown at the right in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is flattened to form two diametrically opposite contact edges 25 and 26, hereinafter referred to as contact points. The armature 18 is a flat rectangular piece the speed of rotation of an armature by rotatively adjusting a frame member which carries said armature and thereby advancing or retarding the closing of a magnetic circuit by which the electro-rnagnet is energized.

Another object is to provide an electro-magnetic motor having an armature capable of rotation at a high enough speed to make the motor attractive'as an amusement device but which is light enough in weight to preclude danger of injury to the hands if they contact the moving armature. 7

Another object is to provide an electro-magnetic motor which is inexpensive to manufacture and which can be operated with a small flashlight battery thus making it safe and inexpensive to operate.

Another object is to provide an electro-magnetic motor of this type which is reversible.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an electro-magnetic motor constructed in accordance with my invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of thesame.

F163 is a view in vertical cross section, with parts in elevation, taken substantially on broken line 33 of FIG. 2. I

FIG. 4 is a detached perspective view of a U-shaped frame member used in my motor.

FIG. 5 is a viewin cross section taken substantially on broken line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred manner of winding magnet wire on a core pin to form a magnet coil.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The parts which enter into the construction of my electro-magnetic motor are a wood base 10, a magnet core pin 11 in the form of a nail provided with a large flat head 12, a magnet coil 13 ofvarnished or insulated magnet wire wound on said core pin 11 between the head 12 and an insulating washer 14 of resilient material, such as rubber, a U-shaped frame 15, a shaft 16 of electrically conductive non-magnetic material, a tubular keeper or finger-piece 1'7 shaped to fit the shaft 16, an armature 18, a contact member 19 hereinafter referred to as a brush, and a tack 20 or like device capable of securing the brush 19 to the base 10.

Preferably all of the parts just hereinbefore mentioned are placed in a suitable package or box and marketed as a kit to be assembled by the ultimate user.

The insulating washer 14 is capable of being perforated of sheet metal having two longitudinally extending straight, parallel, spaced apart cuts 27 and 28 cooperating to form a medial part 29 which is severed from the armaturelS along its sides by thecuts 2'7 and 28 but is integrally connected with the armature 18 at its ends.' Transverse aligned indentations or grooves 30 are provided in the parts of the armature 18 outwardly from the cuts 27 and 28 and medially of the length of the armature to receive the shaft 16. Said shaft 16 lies in the grooves 30 and passes under the part 29.

The brush 19 can be apiece of Phosphor bronze spring wire and it is provided with preferably one right angled bend 19a and with another bend 19b of greater than a right angle which forms a loop to receive the tack 20. The bends 19a and19b shape the lower portion of the brush *1) so that it serves as a base and rests squarely on the base member 10 and holds the main portion of said'brush 19 approximately upright with its upper end positioned alongside of the flattened end portion 21 of the shaft 16. v

In assembling my electro-magnetic motor the insulator 14 is slipped over the core pin 11 and positioned on said core pin 11 at a predetermined distance from the head 12 and held immovable while the magnet wire is being wound on the core pin to form the coil 13. The magnet wire is wound on core pin 11 so that both end portions 13a and 13b of the same are left projecting from the coil 13. These projecting portions are attached together by a twist to hold the coiled wire in place on the core pin 11. One of said end portions 13a is scraped to remove the insulation therefrom and is later tucked or drawn under the frame 15, which is secured by the core pin 11 to the base 10 centrally of said base.

The shaft 16 and armature 18 are assembled in the frame 15 by passing said shaft, non-flattened end first, through the hole 24 and under the medial part 29 of the armature, which will frictionally grip the shaft 16, and through the hole 23 and then slipping retainer member 17 over the end of the shaft 16. The brush 19 is positioned with its upper end alongside of the flattened end 21 of the shaft 16 and is secured to the base Why the tack 20. Before the shaft 16 is put in place the core pin 11 is driven into the base 10 far enough so that the ends of the armature 18 will just clear the head 12 of said core pin Without touching it as the armature rotates. The elasticity of the washer member 14 allows the core pin 11 to be driven a little further into the base 10 after the armature is in place if this is necessary for clearance of the armature. Also this elasticity of member 14 insures proper frictional contact between the frame 15 and the base 10 so that the frame 15 is readily adjustable rotatively and will retain its adjustment until it is again moved. Also this member 14 is an insulator and prevents the wires of the coil 13 from electrically contacting the frame 15 if the insulation is worn or scraped off of them.

In operating this device one terminal of a small flashlight battery or a like source of energy is electrically connected, in any suitable way, with the brush 19 and the other terminal of said battery is electrically connected with the end portion 13b of the/magnet wire which forms the coil 13.

To start the motor energy is supplied to the coil 13, the frame 15 is rotatively adjusted on the core pin 11 so that each contact point and 26 of the make and break member 21 will at least touchthe brush 19 when it is in the part of its path of movement closest to said brush. The armature 18 is rotatively adjusted on the shaft 16 so that, when said armature is moving in a chosen direction, one end portion of said armature will be a short distance past the center of the core pin head 12 when one of the points 25 or 26 breakscontact with the brush 19. Then by starting rotation of the shaft 16 in the said chosen direction the armature 18 will be caused by magnetic pull to rotate in that direction. In the same manner the armature 18 and the make and break device, which is part of shaft 16, can be adjusted angularly relative to each other and provide rotation of the armature in a reverse direction. If the adjustment of the armature 18 on the shaft 16 is such that the circuit to the coil 13 is closed at the. time either end portion of said armature is moving toward the core pin head 12 and is broken about the time said armature end portion passes the center of said head 12 each end portion of the armature will be subjected to a magnetic pull in the same direction each time it passes the core pin head 12 and the armature will continue to rotate.

The speed of rotation of the armature can be increased by angularly adjusting the frame 15 to provide a firmer and longer duration of contact between each contact point 25 and 2s and the brush 19 and this speed can be decreased by moving said frame 15 to provide a lighter and shorter duration of contact between 7 these parts.

7 Angularly moving the frame 15 so that the contact points 25 and 26 are entirely clear of the brush 19 will stop the engine. The angularly adjustable frame 15 thus serves both as a speed control for the armature 18 and as a startand stop switch to open and close the circuit to the source of energy.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that changes in the same may be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toy electro-magnetic motor comprising a base, a frame of electrically conductive material having a bottom end resting on said base and having two spaced apart parallel upwardly extending side members; a centrally positioned core pin of magnetic material rigid with said base and extending upwardly therefrom through the bottom end portion of said frame rotatively adjustably connecting said frame with said base; a coil of insulated magnet wire on said core pin; an insulating member of resilient material between said coil and the bottom portion of said frame, one end of said insulated magnet Wire being grounded on said frame; a horizontal shaft of electrically conductive non-magnetic material rotatively supported by the upwardly extending side members ofsaid frame and electrically connected with said frame; two di- I ametrically opposite contact points rigid with one end portion of said shaft; an armature of thin flat magnetic material having two spaced apart longitudinal cuts providing between them a shaft engaging part dispiaced sidewise from the plane of the armature and 7 receives the shaft thereunder, the armature being carried by said shaft and extending-equal distances in opposite which is directions therefrom and frictionally engaging said shaft, whereby it may be adjusted angularly on said shaft in varying the relative angular position of said armature and said contact points; and a brush having a part positioned adjacent said contact points, whereby when said brush and the non-grounded end portion of said magnet wire are electrically connected with the respective terminalsvof a source of electrical energy current will be supplied to said magnetcoil when the said contact points contact said brush.

2. A toy electro-magnetic motor comprising a'wooden sulated magnet wire on said core pin; an insulating member of resilient material between the bottom of said coil and the bottom portion of said frame, whereby limited vertical adjustment of the core pin with the coil thereon is provided by driving the core pin farther into the base and compressing said resilient insulating member, one end portion of the insulated magnetic wire which forms said coil being grounded on said frame; a horizontal shaft of electrically conductive material rotatively supported by the upwardly extending portions of said frame and electrically connected with said frame; a flattened end portion on said shaft forming a make and break device having two diametrically opposite contact points; an armature of thin fiat magnetic material having two spaced apart longitudinal cuts providing between them a shaft engaging part which is displaced sidewise from the plane of the armature and receives the shaft thereunder, the armature being carried by and frictionally engaging said shaft and extending equal distances in opposite directions from said shaft and being rotatively adjustable on'said shaft in varying the angular relation between said armature and said points; a resilient brush mounted on saidbase and extending alongside of said points, said points being adjustable toward and away from said brush by rotative movement of said frame relative to said base, said brush and the non-grounded end portion of the magnet wire which forms said coil being adapted for electrical con nection with the respective terminals of a source of electric current. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Dec. 10, 1952 

1. A TOY ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MOTOR COMPRISING A BASE, A FRAME OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL HAVING A BOTTOM END RESTING ON SAID BASE AND HAVING TWO SPACED APART PARALLEL UPWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE MEMBERS; A CENTRALLY POSITIONED CORE PIN OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL RIGID WITH SAID BASE AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM THROUGH THE BOTTOM END PORTION OF SAID FRAME ROTATIVELY ADJUSTABLY CONNECTING SAID FRAME WITH SAID BASE; A COIL OF INSULATED MAGNET WIRE ON SAID CORE PIN; AN INSULATING MEMBER OF RESILIENT MATERIAL BETWEEN SAID COIL AND THE BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID FRAME, ONE END OF SAID INSULATED MAGNET WIRE BEING GROUNDED ON SAID FRAME; A HORIZONTAL SHAFT OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE NON-MAGNETIC MATERIAL ROTATIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE UPWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE MEMBERS OF SAID FRAME AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID FRAME; TWO DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE CONTACT POINTS RIGID WITH ONE END PORTION OF SAID SHAFT; AN ARMATURE OF THIN FLAT MAGNETIC MATERIAL HAVING TWO SPACED APART LONGITUDINAL CUTS PROVIDING BETWEEN THEM A SHAFT ENGAGING PART WHICH IS DISPLACED SIDEWISE FROM THE PLANE OF THE ARMATURE AND RECEIVES THE SHAFT THEREUNDER, THE ARMATURE BEING CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT AND EXTENDING EQUAL DISTANCES IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS THEREFROM AND FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING SAID SHAFT, WHEREBY IT MAY BE ADJUSTED ANGULARLY ON SAID SHAFT IN VARYING THE RELATIVE ANGULAR POSITION OF SAID ARMATURE AND SAID CONTACT POINTS; AND A BRUSH HAVING A PART POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID CONTACT POINTS, WHEREBY WHEN SAID BRUSH AND THE NON-GROUNDED END PORTION OF SAID MAGNET WIRE ARE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED WITH THE RESPECTIVE TERMINALS OF A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY CURRENT WILL BE SUPPLIED TO SAID MAGNET COIL WHEN THE SAID CONTACT POINTS CONTACT SAID BRUSH. 